Top 10 breakthrough technologies of 2020 – TechRepublic
Between tiny AI and unhackable internet, this decade's tech trends will revolutionize the business world.
MIT Technology Review unveiled its top 10 breakthrough technology predictions on Wednesday. The trends--which include hype-inducing tech like quantum computing and unhackable internet--are expected to become realities in the next decade, changing the enterprise and world.
SEE: Internet of Things: Progress, risks, and opportunities (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
While many of the trends have a more scientific background, most can also apply to business, said David Rotman editor at MIT Technology Review.
"Even though some of these sound science-y or research-y, all really do have important implications and business impacts. [For example], unhackable internet," Rotman said. "It's early, but we can all see why that would be a big deal.
"Digital money will change how we do commerce; satellite mega constellations will potentially change how we do communications and the price of communications," Rotman added.The methodology behind determining the breakthrough technologies focused on what writers, editors, and journalists have been reporting on in the past year. All of the technologies are still being developed and improved in labs, Rotman said.
The MIT Technology Review outlined the following 10 most exciting technologies being created and deployed in the next 10 years.
One of the most exciting technologies of the bunch, according to Rotman, quantum supremacy indicates that quantum computers are not only becoming a reality, but the functionality is becoming even more advanced.Murmurs of quantum computer development have floated around the enterprise. The technology is able to process massive computational solutions faster than any supercomputer.
While this form of computing hasn't been widely used yet, it will not only be usable by 2030, but possibly reach quantum supremacy, MIT found.
"Quantum supremacy is the point where a quantum computer can do something that a classical conventional computer cannot do or take hundreds of years for a classical computer to do," Rotman said.
The technology is now getting to the point where people can test them in their businesses and try different applications, and will become more popular in the coming years, Rotman said.
Quantum computers are especially useful for massive scheduling or logistical problems, which can be particularly useful in large corporations with many moving parts, he added.
"Satellites have become so small and relatively cheap that people are sending up whole clusters of these satellites," Rotman said. "It's going to have an enormous impact on communication and all the things that we rely on satellites for."
These satellites could be able to cover the entire globe with high-speed internet. Applications of satellite mega-constellation use are currently being tested by companies including SpaceX, OneWeb, Amazon, and Telesat, according to the report.
Another interesting, and surprising, technology in the study concerned tiny AI. The surprising nature of this comes with how quickly AI is growing, Rotman said.
Starting in the present day, AI will become even more functional, independently running on phones and wearables. This ability would prevent devices from needing the cloud to use AI-driven features, Rotman said.
"It's not just a first step, but it would be an important step in speeding up the search for new drugs," Rotman said.
Scientists have used AI to find drug-like compounds with specific desirable characteristics. In the next three to five years, new drugs might be able to be commercialized for a lesser cost, compared to the current $2.5 billion it takes to currently commercialize a new drug, the report found.
Researchers are now able to detect climate change's role in extreme weather conditions. With this discovery, scientists can help people better prepare for severe weather, according to the report.
In less than five years, researchers will find drugs that treat ailments based on the body's natural aging process, the report found. Potentially, diseases including cancer, heart disease and dementia could be treated by slowing age.
Within five years, the internet could be unhackable, the report found.
Researchers are using quantum encryption to try and make an unhackable internet, which is particularly important as data privacy concerns heighten, Rotman said.
Digital money, also known as cryptocurrency, will become more widely used in 2020. However, the rise of this money will also have major impacts on financial privacy, as the need for an intermediary becomes less necessary, according to the report.
Occupying three trends on the list, medicine is proving to potentially be a huge area for innovation. Currently, doctors and researchers are designing novel drugs to treat unique genetic mutations. These specialized drugs could cure some ailments that were previously uncurable, the report found.
Differential privacy is a technique currently being used by the US government collecting data for the 2020 census. The US Census Bureau has issues keeping the data it collects private, but this tactic helps to anonymize the data, a tactic other countries may also adopt, according to the report.
For more, check out Forget quantum supremacy: This quantum-computing milestone could be just as important on ZDNet.
Be in the know about smart cities, AI, Internet of Things, VR, AR, robotics, drones, autonomous driving, and more of the coolest tech innovations. Delivered Wednesdays and Fridays
Image: Urupong, Getty Images/iStockphoto
Here is the original post:
Top 10 breakthrough technologies of 2020 - TechRepublic
- If I Could Only Buy 1 Quantum Computing Stock, This Would Be It - Yahoo Finance - September 13th, 2026 [September 13th, 2026]
- BigBear.ai vs. IonQ: Weighing Whether to Invest in the Artificial Intelligence Company or the Quantum Computing Giant - The Motley Fool - September 13th, 2026 [September 13th, 2026]
- IBM and Lockheed Martin Partner with ETH Zurich to Deploy Switzerlands First IBM Quantum System Two - Quantum Computing Report - September 13th, 2026 [September 13th, 2026]
- BWT Alpine Formula One Team and SEALSQ Expand Quantum Partnership into Multiphysics Simulation - Quantum Computing Report - September 13th, 2026 [September 13th, 2026]
- If I Could Only Buy 1 Quantum Computing Stock, This Would Be It - The Motley Fool - September 13th, 2026 [September 13th, 2026]
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks Have Issued a $63 Million Warning This Year That Wall Street Cannot Ignore - The Motley Fool - September 13th, 2026 [September 13th, 2026]
- BigBear.ai vs. IonQ: Weighing Whether to Invest in the Artificial Intelligence Company or the Quantum Computing Giant - The Globe and Mail - September 13th, 2026 [September 13th, 2026]
- Why quantum computing stocks are soaring today while the rest of the market falls - Yahoo Finance - September 13th, 2026 [September 13th, 2026]
- Is the Quantum Computing Threat to Bitcoin Overblown? These New Developments Suggest That's the Case. - The Motley Fool - September 8th, 2026 [September 8th, 2026]
- AI models using quantum computing will be tested on live currency data - Stock Titan - September 8th, 2026 [September 8th, 2026]
- The US is pouring hundreds of millions more into quantum computing. This is only the beginning - XTB.com - September 8th, 2026 [September 8th, 2026]
- Quantum Motion Raises Additional Funding for Silicon Quantum Computing - The Quantum Insider - September 4th, 2026 [September 4th, 2026]
- George Mason University Partners with TreQ to Install $7.7M Open-Architecture Quantum QPU in Virginia - Quantum Computing Report - September 4th, 2026 [September 4th, 2026]
- Rigetti and Purdue University Demonstrate Quantum Preconditioning Framework for Constrained Optimization - Quantum Computing Report - September 4th, 2026 [September 4th, 2026]
- George Mason and TreQ Bring Open-Architecture Quantum Computing to Virginia - HPCwire - September 4th, 2026 [September 4th, 2026]
- IBM Releases Nighthawk r2 QPU Featuring Active Dissipative Qubit Reset and 25x Circuit Throughput - Quantum Computing Report - September 4th, 2026 [September 4th, 2026]
- Why everyone in quantum computing is buzzing about Googles move into neutral atoms - Fast Company - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Bitcoin May Already be Resistant to Quantum Computing Attacks - extremetech.com - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Anyon Systems and KMT Technologies Partner to Expand Quantum Computing Deployment - The Quantum Insider - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Yaqumo and SCREEN Holdings Partner on NEDO Project to Build Optical Modules for Neutral-Atom QPUs - Quantum Computing Report - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- NSF awards $37M to its UC Berkeley-led quantum computing research - Daily Cal - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Anyon Systems and Matrix Group Partner to Accelerate International Quantum Supercomputing Deployments - Quantum Computing Report - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Diffraqtion Caps Pre-Seed Round at $10M+ with Strategic Backing from Lockheed Martin and Presidio Ventures - Quantum Computing Report - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Anyon Systems and KMT Technologies Partner to Accelerate International Deployment of Quantum Computing - HPCwire - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- A Major Quantum Computing Problem May Finally Have an Answer: Can We Trust the Results? - SciTechDaily - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- S-Transistors Raises 2.6 Million ($3 Million USD) Pre-Seed Round to Build Superconducting Quantum Control Motherboards - Quantum Computing Report - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- How Quantum Hardware Rollouts And NHanced Deal At Quantum Computing (QUBT) Have Changed Its Investment Story - simplywall.st - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Can IBM's HRL Acquisition Boost Its Quantum Computing Capabilities? - The Globe and Mail - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Anyon Systems And Matrix Group Team Up To Expand Quantum Computing Access - Quantum Zeitgeist - September 2nd, 2026 [September 2nd, 2026]
- Quantum Computing Use Cases for the Oil and Gas Industry - JPT Homepage - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Quantum computing: Where we stand in 2026 - Constellation Research - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Quantum Computing Inc Stock (QUBT) Opinions on Revenue Surge and Analyst Upgrade - Quiver Quantitative - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Quantum Computing (QUBT) Stock Looks Reasonable On Book Value While Returns Look Stretched - simplywall.st - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Quantum Computing (QUBT) Looks Undervalued On Paper, Is The Pullback A Buying Opportunity? - simplywall.st - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Quantum Computing Is Raising the Stakes for Cybersecurity: 5 Stocks to Watch - Yahoo Finance - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- The Dream of Quantum Computing Is Both Dead and Alive - Bloomberg - August 27th, 2026 [August 27th, 2026]
- Quantum Datacenter Alliance Announces Second Annual Forum on Scaling Quantum Computing - The Quantum Insider - August 27th, 2026 [August 27th, 2026]
- Why Quantum Computing Is a Threat to Cybersecurity - WSJ - August 27th, 2026 [August 27th, 2026]
- Its time to stop sleeping on quantum computing: 48 experts on what to watch for next - Fast Company - August 27th, 2026 [August 27th, 2026]
- Bitcoin now has a quantum computing escape route, but 7 million BTC may still be exposed - CryptoSlate - August 27th, 2026 [August 27th, 2026]
- Quantum Computing Inc Stock (QBTS) Opinions on CFO Resignation - Quiver Quantitative - August 27th, 2026 [August 27th, 2026]
- Pasqal and Eleven Ventures Form Joint Venture for Quantum Computing in Saudi Arabia - The Quantum Insider - August 27th, 2026 [August 27th, 2026]
- 1 Quantum Computing Stock Everyone's Ignoring While IonQ Gets the Headlines - The Motley Fool - August 27th, 2026 [August 27th, 2026]
- Quantum Stocks Unwind a Revenue-Headline Rally: Rigetti Computing and Infleqtion Down 7%, IonQ Down 6% - 24/7 Wall St. - August 27th, 2026 [August 27th, 2026]
- Quantum Datacenter Alliance Announces 2nd Annual Forum on Scaling Quantum Computing - HPCwire - August 27th, 2026 [August 27th, 2026]
- IonQ vs. Quantum Computing Inc.: Which Quantum Computing Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026? - The Motley Fool - August 27th, 2026 [August 27th, 2026]
- Quantum Computing Stocks IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum Have Put Wall Street on Notice With This $863 Million Warning - The Motley Fool - August 27th, 2026 [August 27th, 2026]
- IonQ Expands Cloud Quantum Computing Access Through Canadian FABrIC Sandbox - The Fast Mode - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) Emerges As The Standout Pure-Play Quantum Computing Stock To Watch - foreignpolicyjournal.com - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- The Quantum Computing Race Is Heating Up: The Top 3 Stocks to Buy Right Now - Yahoo Finance - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Reddit vs. Rigetti Computing: Which High-Growth Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026, the Social Media Giant or Rising Quantum Computing Company? - Yahoo... - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- 1 Quantum Computing Stock That Looks Like a Screaming Buy Right Now - The Motley Fool - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Quantum Computing vs. Red Cat: Which High-Growth Innovation Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026? - The Motley Fool - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Quantum Computing Finally Delivered, And The Stock May Be Too Cheap (NASDAQ:QUBT) - Seeking Alpha - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- Quantum Computing Stock Jumps 9.6% as Cash Covers 64% of Its Market Value - TechStock - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- D-Wave Quantum vs. Microsoft: Which Is the Better Quantum Computing Stock to Own for the Next 5 Years? - Yahoo Finance - August 23rd, 2026 [August 23rd, 2026]
- A little bit more than magic: The secret to quantum computing may lie in negativity - Phys.org - August 22nd, 2026 [August 22nd, 2026]
- IBM's new 'quantum fridges' are nearly 200 times colder than deep space and could pave the way for fault-tolerant quantum computing - Live Science - August 22nd, 2026 [August 22nd, 2026]
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks With the Most Upside in August - Yahoo Finance - August 22nd, 2026 [August 22nd, 2026]
- Can IBM Scale Quantum Computing With Its New Cryogenic Systems? - Yahoo Finance - August 22nd, 2026 [August 22nd, 2026]
- EBU and Superpositions Partner to Add Quantum Computing to Business Education - The Quantum Insider - August 22nd, 2026 [August 22nd, 2026]
- IonQ and CMC Microsystems Announce Collaboration to Expand Cloud Quantum Computing Access in Canada - The Quantum Insider - August 22nd, 2026 [August 22nd, 2026]
- New quantum computing facility in South Chicago expected to have economic impact in Illinois - CBS News - August 22nd, 2026 [August 22nd, 2026]
- D-Wave Quantum vs. Microsoft: Which Is the Better Quantum Computing Stock to Own for the Next 5 Years? - The Motley Fool - August 22nd, 2026 [August 22nd, 2026]
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks With the Most Upside in August - 24/7 Wall St. - August 22nd, 2026 [August 22nd, 2026]
- Quantinuum: Trapped-Ion Quantum Computing Looks To Break Out Of The Quantum Silo - Seeking Alpha - August 22nd, 2026 [August 22nd, 2026]
- FormationQ and Hartree Centre Partner to Advance Quantum Computing in the UK - The Quantum Insider - August 22nd, 2026 [August 22nd, 2026]
- IonQ and CMC Microsystems Announce Collaboration to Expand Cloud Quantum Computing Access in Canada - IonQ - August 18th, 2026 [August 18th, 2026]
- Quantum Computing Inc Stock Short Interest Falls to 32.11% - Quiver Quantitative - August 18th, 2026 [August 18th, 2026]
- The Quantum Opportunity Beyond Computing - Lockheed Martin - August 18th, 2026 [August 18th, 2026]
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks for Aggressive Investors in August - 24/7 Wall St. - August 18th, 2026 [August 18th, 2026]
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks for Aggressive Investors in August - Yahoo Finance - August 18th, 2026 [August 18th, 2026]
- Two Quantum Computing Stocks Are Starting to Pull Ahead of the Pack - The Globe and Mail - August 18th, 2026 [August 18th, 2026]
- Quantum computing stocks fall sharply as rising Treasury yields trigger tech sell-off. - Pluang - August 18th, 2026 [August 18th, 2026]
- Quantum Computing Is Coming: Why Businesses Need to Prepare Now - UC Today - August 18th, 2026 [August 18th, 2026]
- This Is When IBM's CEO Says Quantum Computing Could Start to Have a "Measurable Impact" on Its Bottom Line - finance.yahoo.com - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- This Is When IBM's CEO Says Quantum Computing Could Start to Have a "Measurable Impact" on Its Bottom Line - The Motley Fool - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Erik Huestis and Alexander Akhiezer Author WIPR Article on Quantum Computing Supply Chains and IP Strategy - Foley Hoag - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Quantum Computing's Q2 revenue rockets year over year as it completes NHanced acquisition - Seeking Alpha - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Infleqtion Selected by Eaton to Support Research Advancing Quantum Computing for U.S. Grid Resilience - 01net - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]